Congressman Pete Aguilar - Representing the 31st District of Californiahttps://aguilar.house.gov/rss.xml
enAguilar and Loma Linda University Health Announce over $400,000 Research Grant https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-and-loma-linda-university-health-announce-over-400000-research
<p>Rep. Pete Aguilar and Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) announced that LLUH has received $433,430 in federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support a new medical research project. The grant funding comes from the NIH Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research Award and will support research into the potential use of vitamin D to enhance intestinal wall repair for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).</p>
<p>“Loma Linda is a national leader in medical research, a major provider of good-paying jobs in our region, and a world-renowned medical center. I’m proud to announce this grant funding, which will allow Loma Linda University Health to conduct groundbreaking new research and continue growing its legacy of innovation,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“I am very excited that our idea is supported by the experts in our field,” said Xiaolei Tang, MD, PhD, an associate research professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and lead researcher for the grant. “I hope that this study will eventually benefit patients at Loma Linda University Health and around the world.”</p>
<p>A Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Aguilar has been a consistent advocate for NIH funding to make these types of grants possible.</p>Fri, 15 Mar 2019 12:22:07 -0400225https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-and-loma-linda-university-health-announce-over-400000-researchAguilar’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Jobs and Expand Conservation Areas within San Bernardino County Signed into Lawhttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-s-bipartisan-bill-support-jobs-and-expand-conservation-areas
<p>Today, President Trump signed into law S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act, a package of public lands bills that included Rep. Pete Aguilar’s Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, a bipartisan bill that he introduced with Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley). The bill authorizes a land exchange within the Santa Ana Wash, located between the cities of Redlands and Highland, which will expand conservation areas for endangered plants and animals while supporting local jobs.</p>
<p>“This bipartisan bill has been a longstanding priority for our community, and will support good-paying jobs in San Bernardino County while also increasing conservation areas and public access to trails and outdoor spaces. I’m grateful to Colonel Cook for his support of this legislation, and proud that we were able to get it signed into law,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“I’m thrilled to see that President Trump has signed S. 47 today. This bipartisan bill enacts into law the Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, which will boost the economy, provide for increased water storage, and protect critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. I thank Congressman Aguilar for working with me to get this critical local legislation across the finish line,” said Rep. Cook.</p>
<p>Anthony Edwards, Property Manager for Robertson’s Ready Mix, a local company that has mining operations within the wash, shared, “It is with great appreciation that we provide our support for the Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act. We thank the congressman for his hard work in representing our region. This bill will help us to expand our business, offer more jobs in the region and provide recreational space for residents to enjoy.”</p>
<p>S. 47 passed both the House and the Senate last month with overwhelming bipartisan support. This is the third bill authored by Rep. Aguilar to be signed into law by President Trump. In 2018, his bill to <a href="/media-center/press-releases/rep-aguilar-s-advance-act-signed-law-president">help military service members secure jobs</a> in the civilian workforce and his bill to <a href="/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-s-bill-expand-access-dod-cyber-scholarship-program-signed-law">connect underrepresented communities with cybersecurity scholarships</a> were enacted.</p>Tue, 12 Mar 2019 16:49:15 -0400225https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-s-bipartisan-bill-support-jobs-and-expand-conservation-areasAguilar’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Environmental Protections and Grow Economy in San Bernardino County Heads to President’s Deskhttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-s-bipartisan-bill-expand-environmental-protections-and-grow
<p>The House of Representatives passed S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. The legislative package of over 100 public lands bills included Rep. Pete Aguilar’s <a href="/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-and-cook-re-introduce-plan-expand-environmental-protection-and">Santa Ana Wash Plan Exchange Act</a>, a bill that would initiate a land exchange between the San Bernardino Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to continue mining operations on designated parcels of land within the Santa Ana Wash, resulting in an estimated $47 million in investments into local infrastructure projects. The bill would also expand conservation areas for threatened or endangered plants and animals within the Santa Ana Wash.</p>
<p>“I’m proud that Congress came together in bipartisan way to pass this legislation. The Santa Ana Wash Plan will not only expand conservation within our community, but will serve as a catalyst for economic development in San Bernardino County, supporting jobs for years to come,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>S. 47 passed the Senate on February 12th, and will now be delivered to the White House to be signed into law by President Trump. In addition to the Santa Ana Wash Plan, S. 47 includes 1.3 million acres of new protected wilderness and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.</p>Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:05:00 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-s-bipartisan-bill-expand-environmental-protections-and-growAguilar Takes “Job for a Day” Tour to March Air Reserve Basehttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-takes-job-day-tour-march-air-reserve-base
<p>Rep. Aguilar took his Job for a Day tour of the Inland Empire to March Air Reserve Base, where he learned how to record, edit and upload audio files for American Forces Network (AFN). AFN provides radio and television news and entertainment for active, guard, and Reserve military service members, and their families overseas. AFN reaches US military audiences in 168 countries, as well as Navy and Coast Guard ships around the world. In addition to learning firsthand about the work of an AFN Radio Specialist, Rep. Aguilar recorded a brief radio message to thank deployed service members and their families.</p>
<p>“While our service members overseas are spending time away from their families, AFN gives them a connection to home. The men and women of our military sacrifice a tremendous amount to serve and protect our country, and AFN helps keep them updated on what’s going at home while they’re away. This experience showed me just how critical AFN’s mission is, and I look forward to being an advocate in Congress for them and for all of our service members,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“Congressman Aguilar was very easy to work with. He had a friendly presence and great attitude toward learning about what I do in the radio department. It’s very humbling for someone in his position to take the time out of his busy life to pay a visit and to care about the AFN mission. I only hope that I gave him the best experience possible of what I do as an AFN Radio Specialist,” said Senior Airman Samara Hagen.</p>
<p>Rep. Aguilar is a member of the House Appropriations Committee where he serves on the Subcommittee for Defense. There, he is a consistent advocate for funding that supports the mission of March Air Reserve Base and programs such as AFN.</p>Mon, 25 Feb 2019 18:30:00 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-takes-job-day-tour-march-air-reserve-baseAguilar Statement on Bipartisan Conference Billhttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-statement-bipartisan-conference-bill
<p>Rep. Pete Aguilar issued the following statement in support of the conference committee’s bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security and the remaining six appropriations bills:</p>
<p>“As members of the conference committee, our job was to reach a bipartisan agreement that would allow us to fund the Department of Homeland Security and keep the government open. The bill we’ll vote on tonight represents that agreement. This legislation allows us to make critical investments to national security infrastructure, humanitarian aid at the border and evidence-based solutions to border security, all without funding President Trump’s wasteful coast-to-coast border wall. I’m proud of the work by my fellow conferees to reach this bipartisan compromise, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill so that we can avoid another devastating shut down.”</p>Thu, 14 Feb 2019 18:55:08 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-statement-bipartisan-conference-billAguilar Announces Over $3.5 Million to Assist Homeless in San Bernardino Countyhttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-announces-over-35-million-assist-homeless-san-bernardino-county
<p>Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) has received a $3.56 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. The CoC program provides funding for local governments and nonprofits with the goal of ending homelessness by providing homeless individuals and families with housing resources. This renewal in funding will help HACSB continue to serve approximately 350 homeless individuals and families with disabilities throughout San Bernardino County.</p>
<p>“Organizations like HACSB are leading efforts to end homelessness across the Inland Empire, and I’m proud to support their mission. This funding will go a long way toward making sure that every family in our community has a place to call home,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“We are grateful for this renewal funding. We’ll continue to provide much needed housing assistance for our society’s most vulnerable homeless individuals and families with disabilities,” said Maria Razo, Executive Director of the Housing Authority. </p>
<p>A Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Aguilar serves on the Subcommittee for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. There, he has been a consistent advocate for programs that provide resources to end homelessness and make housing more affordable for Inland Empire families.</p>Tue, 12 Feb 2019 14:46:15 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-announces-over-35-million-assist-homeless-san-bernardino-countyAguilar and Cook Re-Introduce Plan to Expand Environmental Protection and Economic Development https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-and-cook-re-introduce-plan-expand-environmental-protection-and
<p>Reps. Pete Aguilar (D-San Bernardino), and Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) introduced the Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, a bill to complete the Upper Santa Ana Wash Land Management and Habitat Conservation Plan (Wash Plan) in the cities of Redlands and Highland. The bill would initiate a land exchange between the San Bernardino Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to continue mining operations on designated parcels of land within the Santa Ana Wash. This agreement would consolidate what is now a patchwork of land to allow economic development in the region to continue alongside conservation efforts. The San Bernardino Valley Water District estimates that implementation of the plan would result in over $47 million in investments for infrastructure projects as well as other public projects such as a 15 mile walking trail in Redlands and Highland.</p>
<p>“This bill is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to a problem in our region. I’m proud to have the opportunity to work with Colonel Cook once again to expand conservation efforts within our communities while helping small businesses grow and create jobs here in the Inland Empire,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“This bipartisan legislation will be a win for both the local economy and for conservation. It permits the expansion of existing aggregate mining operations to support infrastructure, enhances water storage, and supports critical habitat for threatened and endangered plants and animals. I look forward to working with Rep. Aguilar to get this important bill passed into law,” said Rep. Cook.</p>
<p>Daniel Cozad, general manager of the San Bernardino Water Conservation District, added, “The exchange of land will allow the District to improve and better protect species habitat and connectivity. It will also expand water recharge and storage capacity and expand jobs in our region. Additionally, it connects public access trails to help complete the Santa Ana River Trail. A large group of stakeholders has been supporting this project for almost 20 years. These Task Force Members represent special districts, cities and the County of San Bernardino who all work together to better serve their communities.”</p>
<p>Anthony Edwards, Property Manager for Robertson’s Ready Mix, a local company that has mining operations within the wash, shared, “It is with great appreciation that we provide our support for the Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act. We thank the congressman for his hard work in representing our region. This bill will help us to expand our business, offer more jobs in the region and provide recreational space for residents to enjoy.”</p>
<p>“With so many stakeholders involved in the process, the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Plan reflects locally-led collaboration at its best. We fully support the Land Exchange, and look forward to seeing it move forward and enacted into law,” said Christie Jones, Resource Manager at Cemex, another company with operations in the wash.</p>
<p>The land to be exchanged is located within the Santa Ana Wash between the cities of Redlands and Highland. A map of the proposed exchange can be found <a href="https://www.sbvwcd.org/docman-wash-plan/wash-plan.html">here</a>. The Santa Ana Wash Plan Exchange Act was <a href="/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-spur-economic-growth-and-protect-environment-san">passed by the House of Representatives</a> when Reps. Aguilar and Cook introduced the bill in the 115th Congress, but never received a vote in the Senate. The bill has been <a href="https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=08A97B8F-A908-49A6-AB92-FF2EE13FA52F">reintroduced in the Senate</a> by California Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris.</p>Thu, 07 Feb 2019 17:34:08 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-and-cook-re-introduce-plan-expand-environmental-protection-andAguilar Calls for President Trump to Commit to Bipartisan Cooperation During State of the Unionhttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-calls-president-trump-commit-bipartisan-cooperation-during-state
<p>Rep. Pete Aguilar called for President Trump to use his platform at the 2019 State of the Union address to commit to bipartisan cooperation in order to avoid another costly government shutdown if funding lapses on February 15th and to work across the aisle during the 116th Congress to address issues critical to the American public. Sister Hortencia Del Villar, Director of Social Concerns of the Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino and an immigrant-rights advocate, will attend the address as Rep. Aguilar’s guest.</p>
<p>“As a member of the bipartisan conference committee tasked with producing a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, my priority is to make sure we are focusing on smart, effective solutions to enhance security and address the humanitarian crisis at the southern border. I hope that as the president speaks to Congress and the nation tonight, he will echo members of the conference committee who have committed to working across the aisle to find evidence-based solutions to the challenges we face at the border. We need the president to refrain from his usual anti-immigrant attacks and attempts to incite fear, and instead encourage sensible policy solutions at the border,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>Sister Hortencia Del Villar commented, “As a Consecrated member of the Catholic Church, I believe that the dignity of every human being must be respected and protected. In my ministry with our immigrant brothers and sisters, I have witnessed the suffering, fear, anxiety and desperation of many children and young people affected by our broken immigration system. I am hopeful our President will speak on his openness to provide permanent solutions to Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status Holders, unaccompanied children and asylum seekers. I am hopeful that our President will speak on unity and collaboration to make a compassionate deal where all vulnerable groups win, including our brothers and sisters working in public service. I am hopeful that Hope will prevail.”</p>Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:53:51 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-calls-president-trump-commit-bipartisan-cooperation-during-stateAguilar Announces Congressional App Challenge Winnershttps://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winners
<p>Rep. Pete Aguilar announced the Congressional App Challenge winners for California’s 31st Congressional District. Richard Hu and James Yang, a senior and a junior at Redlands High School, were selected as this year’s winners for their app, Hex Rockets. Hex Rockets is a game designed to help players learn hexadecimal arithmetic with the goal of making STEM learning more fun and engaging for players. The contest was judged by Dr. Tony Coulson, Director of the Cyber Security Center at California State University, San Bernardino.</p>
<p>“I was proud to host the Congressional App Challenge for Inland Empire students for the first time this year. We know that the jobs of the 21st Century are going to require STEM educations, and the Congressional App Challenge is a great way to get local students excited about STEM. Richard and James really impressed us with their app because it was designed to help more students enjoy STEM subjects, encouraging more of their peers to look into the field,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“STEM will likely dominate future careers, yet math consistently tops polls of least favorite school subjects. As longtime math competitors, James and I wanted to change this mindset towards math,” said Richard Hu.</p>
<p>“Hex Rockets hopes to shift the attitude towards mathematics by nurturing enthusiasm and interest in the topic in a fun and compelling way and engaging the player firsthand in a different form of math,” commented James Yang, who co-created Hex Rockets with Richard Hu.</p>
<p>“The Congressional App challenge is wonderful because it gives students a chance to show an element of creativity, but also to show off STEM skills. The investments our schools have made in this area over the past few years are really starting to pay off, and I was very impressed by the products that came out of this challenge. Hex Rockets showed how these students could leverage different parts of technology and put them together in a creative and fun way,” said Dr. Tony Coulson.</p>
<p>As the winners from California’s 31st District, both Richard and James are invited the #HouseofCode reception in Washington, DC, where they will have a chance to meet the winners from other participating Congressional Districts. In addition, the winners will be given $250 in Amazon Web Services credits and a description of their app can be seen on a digital display in the US Capitol for one year. </p>Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winnersAguilar Announces New Appropriations Leadership Role, Subcommittee Assignments https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-announces-new-appropriations-leadership-role-subcommittee
<p>Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that he was selected by Members of the House Appropriations Committee to join the Committee’s leadership team as Vice Chair. In addition, he announced that he will serve on the Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense; Transportation, Housing &amp; Urban Development; and Homeland Security.</p>
<p>The Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating funding for all federal agencies. As Vice Chair of the Committee, Rep. Aguilar will work closely with Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey to develop policies that will invest in the priorities of the American people such as access to affordable health care, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and building an economy that works for working people. As a Member of the Subcommittees on Defense and Homeland Security, Rep. Aguilar will help shape the United States’ military, national security and immigration policies. As a Member of the Transportation, Housing &amp; Urban Development Subcommittee, he will be in a unique position to help advance critical investments in infrastructure and affordable housing.</p>
<p>“I’m honored that my colleagues have given me the opportunity to serve as a leader on the Appropriations Committee, and am proud to serve on these subcommittees. I’m confident that these positions will allow me to continue to advocate for the priorities of the Inland Empire, including making meaningful investments to our national defense, cybersecurity, infrastructure and housing. These investments are not only national priorities, but will help grow the Inland Empire’s economy and create new good-paying jobs for our region,” said Rep. Aguilar.</p>
<p>“Pete Aguilar is a friend, a dedicated public servant, and a leader who is quickly making his mark on the Appropriations Committee and in the House,” Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey said. “I am delighted that he has been elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee in the 116th Congress, and I look forward to working closely with him as we invest America’s future.” </p>
<p>In his third term in Congress, Rep. Aguilar now holds the leadership positions of Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Whip of the New Democrat Coalition. This will be his second term serving on the House Appropriations Committee.</p>Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:12:37 -0500214https://aguilar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aguilar-announces-new-appropriations-leadership-role-subcommittee